Pregnancy and Dental Health

Dental Health During Pregnancy
 

Does a woman lose calcium from her teeth during pregnancy?

Many people believe while being pregnant the calcium baby requires developing healthy teeth obtains from mother's teeth. In fact, the calcium in mother's teeth is not affected. However, the calcium she takes in does have an excellent impact on the development of the newborn teeth. The mother should eat dairy products as part of a proper pregnancy diet and take dietary supplements as guided by the obstetrician.

Mother's dental health and her overall oral health have a great impact on her baby.  If the mother neglects her dental health and develops dental decay or gingival problem, not only she will not be able to eat nutritious foods, she will transmit harmful bacteria to her baby. So keep in mind that a healthy pregnancy will create a healthy child.

It is critical to consult the obstetrician before considering any dietary supplements. If the mother's dietary calcium is not sufficient, your bone will provide calcium to your body or the baby. Most of the time the obstetrician will recommend supplements to help ensure adequate calcium your body need.

Will X-ray (radiation) harm pregnant women?

In some emergency dental cases, x-ray exposure to a pregnant woman is required. The dentist has to consider the risk of a pregnant woman to wait until the baby is born without any dental treatment and the threat of spreading infection from her teeth or gums to her baby. In some cases, dental care might be essential to preserving the well-being of the mother and child.

Even though radiation level from dental x-ray procedure is weak, every x-ray radiation safety precaution should be implemented to reduce the radiation exposure. A leaded apron a leaded thyroid collar can safeguard the baby and the thyroid gland from the radiation exposure. Dental x-rays are not contraindicated if you are breast-feeding.

Pregnancy and Gum Disease

One of the pregnancy symptoms is during the second to eighth month of pregnancy, your body's hormone progesterone level changes considerably.

The increased level of the hormone causes gum tissue to be more sensitive to plaque deposit on the tooth at the gum line. Results in gum disease as in gingivitis. Without proper treatment for gingivitis, the condition becomes a periodontal disease. Periodontal disease causes swollen, tender red gums and bone loss in severe cases.

Pregnancy tumors

Pregnancy tumors are the overgrowth of gum tissue develop between the tooth in some pregnant women during the 2nd trimester. Pregnancy tumors are not cancerous. The cause of Pregnancy tumors believed to be a severe inflammation reaction to food and plaque accumulation at the gum line. Pregnancy tumors bleed easily, and their appearance resemble red mulberry surface.

Sometimes “Pregnancy tumors” disappear on their own after the baby is born or can be surgically removed by the dentist if they did not disappear.

There is one more reason to maintain excellent oral health while being pregnant.  Research finds that most women with severe gum disease are prone to deliver premature babies.

Baby's teeth during pregnancy

The baby's teeth are developing during the period of twelve to twenty-four weeks of pregnancy.  During pregnancy, the variety of vitamins, nutrients and supplement from the mother will reflect on the well-being of the baby's teeth formation.  It is important that pregnancy woman's diet and supplements are monitored carefully by the obstetrician.

Proper care of Tooth While being pregnant

In the 2nd trimester, a pregnant woman should see a dentist. When visiting the dental office, let the dentist know you're pregnant and how far into the pregnancy you presently are. It helps the dentist assess conditions that commonly show up in an oral cavity while being pregnant and a precaution not to perform an x-ray unless it is necessary.

Home care of pregnant woman's teeth is essential. Flossing 2-3 times a day, brushing at least 2-3 times a day with fluoride toothpaste, rinse with non-alcohol mouthwash are recommended

Studies have shown that pregnant women with several decayed teeth and advanced periodontal disease may cause the babies to be born underweight or prematurely. Cigarette smoking while being pregnant is a health risk by itself, but most women frequently don't know the effects of smoking to the tooth and the baby. The tooth enamel is softer in those that smoke.

Is there a link concerning diet and dental health of the infant while being pregnant?

It may be necessary to eat a vibrant food through your day-to-day life.  It is vital to supply the proper amount of the standard prenatal multivitamin nutritional supplements to nurture both you and your baby when in pregnancy state.

Your baby's tooth begins to grow between 3rd and 6th month of being pregnant. It's important that you consume a sufficient amount of nourishment for the baby to develop strong and healthy teeth.

Some dietary necessary for pregnancy woman:
1) Folate or folic acid is needed to support the improving mother's blood quantity as well as lessen the risk of baby Neural Tube Defects (NTD). During pregnancy, diet plan on its own won't be possible to offer adequate folate. Women need to start a regular folate dietary supplement of 0.4 mg in 3 months prior to conceiving.  Continue this dose through the entire first 3 months of the pregnant state.

2) Iron is essential in retaining an adequate level of blood circulation for the developing baby, as well as the placenta. Through the 2nd and 3rd trimesters, A pregnant woman should take 30mg of iron supplement. Also, eat iron-rich meals that contain

• Heme iron, e.g.,cooked mussels, clams, beef, shrimps, turkey
• Non-heme iron, e.g., cooked beans, lentils, potato with skin, asparagus, pumpkin seeds, and iron-fortified cereal products

3) Eat meals that improve absorption of iron and stay away from foods that conflict with iron assimilation.

Foods that enhance iron assimilation are meat, fish poultry, orange, cantaloupe, strawberries, grapefruit, broccoli, Brussels sprouts, tomato, green and red pepper.

Foods that conflict with iron assimilation are red wine, coffee, tea, spinach, chard, rhubarb, sweet potato, whole grain, bran and soy products.

4) Calcium, phosphorous, vitamin A, C, and D are essential during pregnancy. Consult your personal obstetrician for proper dosage.